Institute Concept

 

Brandenburg Institute for Society and Security


 

Vision

In the field of civil security, the BIGS is acknowledged as a respected research institution with international influence. This is reflected in the institute’s s teaching activities for students and young scholars, as well in as its training programs for working professionals.
The goal is to protect the Federal Republic of Germany, its liberal democratic institutions and its way of life from natural and man-made catastrophes, as well as terrorist attacks.
This is possible especially through multi- and interdisciplinary economics and social science research; through teaching and continuing education rooted in this research; and in the transfer of knowledge between academia, the business sector and society.

Mission Statement

The BIGS is an independent, non-partisan non-profit institute in Potsdam with the mission of building bridges between theory and practice, so as to improve civil security through a multi- and interdisciplinary approach. By bringing together domestic and international multipliers from politics, the business sector, public administration, the media and academia, BIGS develops innovative strategies and solutions for the threats which confront liberal democracies in today’s world – and in the world of the future. In its effort to achieve these reach these goals, the institute seeks to produce research which will contribute to the preservation and strengthening of human rights and liberty, as well as promoting economic prosperity in our society.

 

Contents

1. Background
2. Interdisciplinary Research Approach
3. Strategic Goals
4. Structure and Methods
5. Areas of Research

 

1. Background

Modern industrial societies are highly complex organizations which are characterized by an exceptionally high degree of international division of labor. However, its complexity and interdependence makes our society more vulnerable to external shocks, such as those that can result from natural catastrophes, terrorism, and human and technological failure.
These threats pose ever greater challenges to our public security institutions, while the competency gaps in these institutions and the vulnerability of our society continue to increase. The resources required to recognize, mitigate or eliminate these complex threats must be applied more effectively and efficiently.
These challenges are compounded by new threats arising from asymmetrical warfare outside of “traditional” conflicts. The Internet and other networked infrastructures have also made new forms of conflict and confrontation possible. This poses additional challenges to democracies, as they are based upon the rule of law and typically can only counter such attacks through conventional law enforcement measures. However, law enforcement agencies often lack the capability to deal appropriately with these threats.

Yet security, or at least the management of risk, is a precondition for prosperity and freedom. These threats are forcing democratic states, which are based upon the rule of law, to constantly adjust and reorient their security standards and measures so that they can ensure freedom and peace over the long term.
At the same time, it is necessary that society and the people must be informed about and sensitized to security issues. The fact that the Federal Republic of Germany enjoys relative economic and social stability, that it has not been involved in military conflicts for a rather long period, and, with the exception of the attacks from the Red Army Faction (RAF), has largely been spared from terrorist attacks, has led to the creation of a sort of “security society”. The need and demand for security against all types of dangers and risks has grown dramatically. The view that each individual can do much to ensure the resilience and security of the broader society has become less widespread. Compounding this problem, in parts of the population a discrepancy exists between actual and perceived risk.
An appropriate reaction to these developments requires a public debate about the strategies which should be employed to respond to them, a debate which is just beginning. Such a debate should also include the question of the extent to which new security strategies and measures impact or reduce the openness and liberal character of a society, and how damage to freedom and the rule of law can be avoided.
Natural catastrophes and terrorism do not just affect developed nations. To the contrary – developing and transitional countries are affected much more frequently by violence and catastrophe. The effects of these events upon these societies are more destructive and are further-reaching than in the developed countries – and yet, in our independent, networked world, they have an effect upon us as well.
The changing security situation has also given rise to a new market for security technologies and services, a market which is experiencing dramatic growth rates. This market is characterized by the intensive use of technology and the necessity of integrating many different products and services into an integrated system. In so doing, the institutional boundaries between public authorities and private enterprises must also be clearly defined and forms of cooperation developed which promote competition and technological developments, while reducing transaction costs and incompatibilities.
In Germany, the research and teaching landscape in the security field is very fragmented. Furthermore, a certainly reluctance to address this subject exists on the part of universities and the social sciences. The city of Potsdam is well suited as a location for an institute on civil security issues. As a state capital located near Berlin, Germany’s capital and largest metropolis, the city is especially representative of the federal nature of our country’s security structure. Potsdam is also the seat of the German military’s main command for foreign military operations, and is the future seat of the German federal police. Why not take advantage of these facts to further scientific dialogue?

The University of Potsdam offers great potential to address this need. Its Economics and Social Sciences Department is unique in Germany, in that it brings together macroeconomics and business management with sociology, political science and public administration. Thus, all it covers all of the social science disciplines which are necessary to address the different aspects of civil security issues. Especially in political science and public administration, such as in the special focus area of “Public Policy and Management”, we can build upon well-established research excellence and pragmatic teaching. This expertise is complemented by the scholars of the Law School’s Institute of Local Government Studies, which concerns itself with questions of security at the local level, among other topics.

2. Multi- and Interdisciplinary Research Approach

The situation described above, combined with the complex challenges which are faced by democratic states, call for new approaches to security research. Research conducted within traditional disciplinary boundaries is not capable of adequately analyzing the interdisciplinary nature of civil security questions, nor will it help us develop the gains in knowledge that are needed.
Contemporary threats require new and innovative solutions and thinking outside the box. The goal is to reduce the vulnerability of modern societies and to increase the democratic accountability and “productivity” of the security services. These must receive the necessary capabilities (deployment strategies and tactics, equipment, training) as well the ability to work together with national and international partners, if they are to efficiently and effectively counteract threats. However, the necessity of increasing security standards must be accompanied by a democratic discourse which reflects the tensions between freedom and security, social welfare state and security, and so forth, and which thereby helps maintain the balance which is part of a free society.
Contemporary security research must also meet these new challenges. Research programs at the European and German levels make it clear that effective security research is only possible through an interdisciplinary and international approach. Technology alone will not be enough to tackle these challenges, and neither will social or political analyses at “round tables.” A multidisciplinary perspective forms the basis upon which security research can and must make a significant contribution to freedom and security in our society.
The multi- and interdisciplinary dimension of the research object, that is, civil security, also includes approaching it from a „diversity“ perspective. A differentiated research perspective according to religious belief, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status can enable new insights into the workings of security concepts and help to avoid developments which could threaten our democracy.

3. Strategic Goals

Currently, Germany does not possess a research institute which fills the need for multi- and interdisciplinary research on security issues, BIGS is intended to close this gap. It seeks to analyze security issues from an interdisciplinary perspective and to supply needed insights into these issues, while at the same time strengthening Germany’s broader security architecture over the long term.
Similarly, in Germany the ties between research on security in the social sciences and R&D in the natural and engineering sciences is inadequate. BIGS will assume a bridge-building function in this regard. At the same time, the institute will contribute to the recruitment and training of the next generation of scholars in security research.
To avoid becoming too far removed from the political, economic and administrative realities, the institute will include outside organizations, such as for example business partners from the security field, in its scientific events and publications. This dialogue is not just intended to give partners in the field access to new scientific developments, but also to help participating scholars in dealing with pragmatic lines of argumentation.
Therefore, BIGS will not just include business partners, but also public agencies and political institutions in its work. The agencies are often the only, or at least the primary, purchasers of security products and services, while the political institutions provide the legal frameworks which make the agencies’ work possible. The political institutions are also the partners with whom a public debate on security questions should be initiated, so as to lead to a broader societal discourse about security strategies in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Security and dealing with risk are issues of concern in all societies. Therefore, is it absolutely necessary that the institute’s work not just be limited to the Berlin-Brandenburg region or the national level, but also that it should participate in international dialogue, debate and research. Towards this end, developing a close network of ties to comparable research institutions in at the national and international level is essential.

4. Structure and Working Procedures

A classical think tank lies at the core of the BIGS, in which scholars from various disciplinary and institutional backgrounds work together on socially-relevant questions of civil security. In so doing, they produce analyses and recommendations about threat potentials, avoidance strategies and countermeasures, and the market for security technologies and services. They identify the need for institutional change and develop scenarios as the basis for preparing for eventual attacks and catastrophes. In their work, they cooperate closely with suppliers and purchasers of security products and services, but also with critics of civil security concepts, in order to ensure the relevance of their research for the broader society. They also concern themselves with the connections between the production of social security and social control, aw well as with the possible discrimination against social groups. Comprehensive perspectives on the opportunities and risks of security concepts and technologies are in the forefront of their work.

BIGS works by thinking ahead and seeking to build up a body of knowledge that can be utilized in the event catastrophes or terrorist attacks occur. This knowledge should help to increase the contribution of the scientific community towards the prevention and mitigation of catastrophes and terrorist attacks; to provide for a speedy return to the status quo ante following such events; and to maintain and protect the liberal democratic basis of our society.
BIGS should serve as an important advisor and discussion partner to the executive and legislative branches, the media, business sector and socially engaged institutions (such as political foundations). It supports the public discourse about the struggle against terrorism and other risks through expert opinions.
The insights and knowledge gained at BIGS and by similar scholarly institutions in the field of security studies in Germany and abroad should be transferred to the civil security community, serve as a basis for stimulating a broader societal debate, and enrich academic instruction at the University of Potsdam. Towards this end, BIGS will actively participate in the international network of think tanks working in the area of homeland security, so as to profit from their knowledge and to contribute its own work to the international discussion.
BIGS offers graduates of various disciplines the opportunity to further themselves scientifically and to come into close contact with those who use their knowledge. At the same time, at BIGS practitioners from business and the public sector should have the opportunity to focus in-depth on a topic in civil security, so as to add new insights to their standard area of expertise. Scholars at BIGS should also enrich postgraduate teaching at the University of Potsdam. Over the short term, this shall take the form of seminars and rotating lectures. Over the intermediate term, a specialization in “Civil Security” is planned, with the help of the institute.
BIGS is headed by a directorate. An advisory board, made up of representatives of the shareholders, scientific scholars from relevant disciplines, and civil security experts, is responsible for the strategic management of the institute. An administrative board, made up of the institute’s shareholders, is responsible for the financial and corporate legal affairs of the institute.

5. Fields of Research

Since the end of the Cold War and the attacks in New York, Washington, London and Madrid, the security challenges facing liberal democracies have changed dramatically. New directions in internal and external security policy have affected a variety of areas. These include classical civil liberties, the federal nature of the German republic, classical foreign policy and international law, international trade policy, the protection of critical infrastructure, and relations between different religions and immigrant groups.
BIGS’ research will focus on how society perceives and deals with risk. The philosophical, cultural, economic and political backgrounds and contexts of these threats shall also be analyzed. In particular, this research seeks to develop policy strategies that will help us to overcome the existing triangle of tension between freedom, security and social justice, in which an increase in one of these factors comes at the expense of the others. Research at BIGS will investigate the following themes, among others:

  • The historical development of security policy;
  • The social and economic dimension of security policy;
  • Values, ethics and cultural norms in respect to security issues and their implications for security technology and policy;
  • How public authorities and the broader society react to and deal with catastrophe;
  • The role of the state and its political-geographic subdivisions in security policy; and
  • The blurring of the separation between domestic and international security.

Specific research projects will be developed in concert with the institute’s advisory board, which will also help to identify new themes. At the same time, BIGS will seek to secure research grants and external funding for projects in the field of civil security.